The name under which a lawyer conducts his practice may be a factor in the selection
process. The use of a trade name or an assumed name could mislead laymen concerning the
identity, responsibility, and status of those practicing thereunder. Accordingly, a lawyer
in private practice should practice only under his own name, the name of a lawyer
employing him, a partnership name composed of the name of one or more of the lawyers
practicing in a partnership, or, if permitted by law, in the name of a professional legal
corporation, which should be clearly designated as such. For many years some law firms
have used a firm name retaining one or more names of deceased or retired partners and such
practice is not improper if the firm is a bona fide successor of a firm in which the
deceased or retired person was a member, if the use of the name is authorized by law or by
contract, and if the public is not misled thereby. However, the name of a partner who
withdraws from a firm but continues to practice law should be omitted from the firm name
in order to avoid misleading the public.